Component positioning device

ABSTRACT

A method for implementing a component positioning device is provided and includes obtaining a component, a component measuring device and a component positioning device, the component including a component head and a component base, the component measuring device including a first arbor and a second arbor and the component positioning device including a first support device, a second support device and an adapter device, connecting the first support device and the adapter device to the component measuring device, wherein the first support device is associated with the first arbor and the adapter device is associated with the second arbor, associating the second support device with the adapter device, wherein the second support device is adjacent to and separated from the first support device by a component cavity and positioning the component within the component cavity.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. Utility PatentApplication Ser. No. 10/843,755 filed May 12, 2004, which application isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates generally to a component positioning device andmore particularly to a component positioning device for use in aninspection system for inspecting the physical characteristics ofthreaded gages, screws, bolt and other components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As society becomes increasingly reliant upon technology, mechanical andelectromechanical systems, such as aircraft, automobiles, weaponssystems and power systems, are called upon to perform an ever increasingnumber of functions. One downside to this is that, in some situations, afailure of a single component in the system may cause a catastrophicfailure of the entire system possibly resulting in the loss of millionsof dollars and hundreds of lives. In an attempt to reduce theprobability of a catastrophic systems failure, critical systems arerequired to satisfy predetermine operating tolerances before they may beused. As such, key components within these critical systems, i.e.components whose failure may cause a catastrophic system failure such asscrews and/or gages, must also satisfy operating tolerances. If acomponent fails to satisfy these required design tolerances and/orperformance specifications a degradation of system performance and/or atotal system failure may occur.

One method of inspecting the physical characteristics of a component,such as the external threads of a screw, employs an attribute inspectionapproach that measures the physical characteristic of the component viaa contact measurement technique. Unfortunately, these contactmeasurement techniques are time consuming and inaccurate, thuspermitting non-conforming components to pass inspection. In response tothe need for faster and more accurate component measurements, inspectionsystems that do not employ contact measurement techniques are beingdeveloped. One type of inspection system employs a vision inspectionapproach which visually captures an image of either an actual componentor a silhouette of the component and determines the physicalcharacteristics of the component from this image. However, in order tovisually capture the image of a component, the component is disposed ina controlled manner using a component positioning device which istypically comprised of two rods or arbors, one of which may be springloaded to hold the component in place by applying tension or pressure tothe component.

Unfortunately, however, current component positioning devices have aplurality of disadvantages. First, these component positioning devicescan only be used with components that have a straight geometry and assuch, cannot be used with components that have bends or multiplebranches, such as an elbow joint. Second, current designs of thecomponent mount make it difficult to quickly center the component inbetween the mounting arbors.

Thus, there is a need for a component positioning device that can beused in an inspection system with a variety of components and thatallows a component to be accurately and rapidly disposed for inspection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for implementing a component positioning device is provided andincludes obtaining a component, a component measuring device and acomponent positioning device, the component including a component headand a component base, the component measuring device including a firstarbor and a second arbor and the component positioning device includinga first support device, a second support device and an adapter device,connecting the first support device and the adapter device to thecomponent measuring device, wherein the first support device isassociated with the first arbor and the adapter device is associatedwith the second arbor, associating the second support device with theadapter device, wherein the second support device is adjacent to andseparated from the first support device by a component cavity andpositioning the component within the component cavity such that thecomponent head is associated with one of the first support device andthe second support device and the component base is associated with theother of the first support device and the second support device.

A medium encoded with a machine-readable computer program code, theprogram code including instructions for causing a controller toimplement a method for implementing a component positioning device in acomponent measuring device, wherein the component measuring deviceincludes a first arbor and a second arbor and the component positioningdevice includes a first support device, a second support device and anadapter device, the method including obtaining a component having acomponent head and a component base, connecting the first support deviceand the adapter device to the component measuring device, wherein thefirst support device is connected to the first arbor and the adapterdevice is connected to the second arbor, associating the second supportdevice with the adapter device, wherein the second support device isadjacent to and separated from the first support device by a componentcavity and positioning the component within the component cavity suchthat the component head is associated with one of the first supportdevice and the second support device and the component base isassociated with the other of the first support device and the secondsupport device.

A machine-readable computer program code, the program code includinginstructions for causing a controller to implement a method forimplementing a component positioning device in a component measuringdevice, wherein the component measuring device includes a first arborand a second arbor and the component positioning device includes a firstsupport device, a second support device and an adapter device, themethod including obtaining a component having a component head and acomponent base, connecting the first support device and the adapterdevice to the component measuring device, wherein the first supportdevice is connected to the first arbor and the adapter device isconnected to the second arbor, associating the second support devicewith the adapter device, wherein the second support device is adjacentto and separated from the first support device by an component cavityand positioning the component within the component cavity such that thecomponent head is associated with one of the first support device andthe second support device and the component base is associated with theother of the first support device and the second support device.

The above discussed and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

Referring to the exemplary drawings wherein like elements are numberedalike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a component positioning device, in accordancewith a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a first support device, inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top down view of a first support device, in accordance witha first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of a second support device, inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a top down view of a second support device, in accordance witha first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional front view of an adapter device, inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of an adapter device, inaccordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a component positioning device, in accordancewith a second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional side view of a first support device, inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a top down view of a first support device, in accordance witha second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional side view of a second support device, inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a top down view of a second support device, in accordancewith a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a component positioning device, in accordancewith a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross sectional side view of a first support device, inaccordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional side view of a first support device, inaccordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a top down view of a first support device, in accordance witha fourth embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a method for implementing acomponent positioning device;

FIG. 18 shows a screw component associated with a first support device;

FIG. 19 shows a screw component associated with a second support device;

FIG. 20 is an exploded side view of a component support deviceassociated with a component measuring system;

FIG. 21 is a cross sectional side view of a first support deviceassociated with an arbor of a component measuring system;

FIG. 22 is a cross sectional side view of a second support deviceassociated with an arbor component measuring system;

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional side view of a screw component associatedwith a component support device;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a three sectional screw component to bemeasured;

FIG. 25 is a side view of a component support device, in accordance witha third embodiment;

FIG. 26 is an exploded side view of the component support device of FIG.25 associated with a component measuring system; and

FIG. 27 is a cross sectional top down view of a three sectional screwcomponent associated with the component support device of FIG. 25.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a first embodiment of componentpositioning device 100 is shown wherein component positioning device 100includes a first support device 102, a second support device 104 and anadapter device 106. First support device 102 includes a first upperportion 108 and a first lower portion 110. First upper portion 108includes a first upper portion top 112, a first upper portion bottom 114 and a first upper portion cradle wall 116, wherein first upperportion cradle wall 116 extends from first upper portion top 112 tofirst upper portion bottom 114 at a first predetermined cradle angle βto define a conically shaped first component cradle 118. First lowerportion 110 includes a first lower portion top 120, a first lowerportion bottom 122 and a first lower portion wall 124 having a firstlower portion inner surface 126 and a first lower portion outer surface128, wherein first lower portion wall 124 defines a first arbor cavity130 and a first fastening cavity 132.

First arbor cavity 130 includes a first arbor cavity diameter d and afirst arbor cavity length l and first fastening cavity 132 may bedisposed in the side of first lower portion wall 124 to communicatefirst lower portion outer surface 128 with first lower portion innersurface 126. Additionally, first fastening cavity 132 may include athreaded portion 133 for threadingly interacting with a threadedmounting screw 134. Although first arbor cavity 130 is shown asextending the length l of first lower portion 110, it should beappreciated that first arbor cavity 130 may extend only a portion oflength l of first lower portion 110. It should be further appreciatedthat first upper portion 108 and/or conically shaped first componentcradle 118 may be sized to accommodate components of varying sizes.Moreover, although first predetermined cradle angle β is shown as beingat least 60° from horizontal, first predetermined cradle angle β may beany angle suitable to the desired end purpose, such as 45° and 75°.

Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, second support device 104 is shown andincludes a second upper portion 136 and a second lower portion 138.Second upper portion 136 includes a second upper portion top 140, asecond upper portion bottom 142 and a second upper portion cradle wall144 extending from second upper portion top 140 to second upper portionbottom 142 at a second predetermined cradle angle α to define aconically shaped second component cradle 146. Second lower portion 138includes a second lower portion top 148, a second lower portion bottom150 and a second lower portion wall 152 having a second lower portioninner surface 154 and a second lower portion outer surface 156, whereinsecond lower portion wall 152 defines a second arbor cavity 158. Secondlower portion 138 also includes at least one stabilizing member 160protruding from second lower portion outer surface 156 and second arborcavity 158 may include a second arbor cavity diameter m and a secondarbor cavity length n.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, adapter device 106 is shown and includesan adapter top 162, an adapter bottom 164 and an adapter wall 166,wherein adapter wall 166 includes an adapter outer wall 168, an adapterinner wall 170 and defines an adapter device cavity 172, an adapterfastening cavity 174, an adapter arbor cavity 176 and an adapter notchcavity 178. Adapter arbor cavity 176 may include a first arbor cavitydiameter e and adapter fastening cavity 174 is disposed in the side ofadapter wall 166 to communicate adapter outer wall 168 with adapterinner wall 170. Additionally, adapter device cavity 172 may be disposedin the side of adapter wall 166 to communicate adapter outer wall 168with adapter inner wall 170. Moreover, adapter fastening cavity 174 mayinclude a threaded portion 179 for receiving a threaded mounting screw134. It should be appreciated that adapter device cavity 172 is sized,shaped and disposed in adapter wall 166 such that a reference mark on anarbor disposed within adapter arbor cavity 176 is in the line-of-sightof component measuring device 137.

Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a component positioning device200 in accordance with a second embodiment is shown and discussed,wherein component positioning device 200 includes a first support device202, a second support device 204 and an adapter device 206. Firstsupport device 202 includes a first upper portion 208 and a first lowerportion 210. First upper portion 208 includes a first upper portion top212, a first upper portion bottom 214 and a first upper portion cradlewall 216, wherein first upper portion cradle wall 216 extends from firstupper portion top 212 to first upper portion bottom 214 at a firstpredetermined cradle angle λ to define a conically shaped firstcomponent cradle 218. First lower portion 210 includes a first lowerportion top 220, a first lower portion bottom 222 and a first lowerportion wall 224 having a first lower portion inner surface 226 and afirst lower portion outer surface 228, wherein first lower portion wall224 defines a first arbor cavity 230 and a first fastening cavity 232.

First arbor cavity 230 includes a first arbor cavity diameter f and afirst arbor cavity length x and first fastening cavity 232 may bedisposed in the side of first lower portion wall 224 to communicatefirst lower portion outer surface 228 with first lower portion innersurface 226. Additionally, first fastening cavity 232 may include athreaded portion 233 for receiving a threaded mounting screw 234.Although first arbor cavity 230 is shown as extending the length offirst lower portion 210, it is contemplated that first arbor cavity 230may only extend a portion of the length of first lower portion 210. Itis further contemplated that first upper portion 208 and/or conicallyshaped first component cradle 218 may be sized to accommodate componentsof varying sizes. Moreover, although it is contemplated that firstpredetermined cradle angle λ is shown as being at least 60° fromhorizontal, first predetermined cradle angle λ may be any angle suitableto the desired end purpose, such as 45° and 75°.

Referring to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, second support device 204 is shown andincludes a second upper portion 236 and a second lower portion 238.Second upper portion 236 includes a second upper portion top 240, asecond upper portion bottom 242 and a second upper portion cradle wall244 extending from second upper portion top 240 to second upper portionbottom 242 at a second predetermined cradle angle ε to define aconically shaped second component cradle 246. Second lower portion 238includes a second lower portion top 248, a second lower portion bottom250 and a second lower portion wall 252 having a second lower portioninner surface 254 and a second lower portion outer surface 256, whereinsecond lower portion wall 252 defines a second arbor cavity 258. Secondlower portion 238 also includes at least one stabilizing member 260protruding out of and away from second lower portion outer surface 256and second arbor cavity 258 may include a second arbor cavity diameter jand a second arbor cavity length k. It is contemplated that second upperportion 236 and/or conically shaped second component cradle 246 may besized to accommodate components of varying sizes. Moreover, althoughsecond predetermined cradle angle ε is shown as being at least 60° fromhorizontal, second predetermined cradle angle ε may be any anglesuitable to the desired end purpose, such as 45° and 75°. It is furthercontemplated that adapter device 206 may be any adapter device suitableto the desired end purpose, such as adapter device 106.

Referring to FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a componentpositioning device 300 in accordance with a third embodiment is shownand discussed, wherein component positioning device 300 includes a firstsupport device 302, a second support device 304 and an adapter device306. First support device 302 includes a first upper portion 308 and afirst lower portion 310. First upper portion 308 includes a first upperportion top 312, a first upper portion bottom 314 and a first upperportion cradle wall 316, wherein first upper portion cradle wall 316extends from first upper portion top 312 to first upper portion bottom314 at a first predetermined cradle angle θ to define a substantiallyrectangular shaped first component cradle 318. First lower portion 310includes a first lower portion top 320, a first lower portion bottom 322and a first lower portion wall 324 having a first lower portion innersurface 326 and a first lower portion outer surface 328, wherein firstlower portion wall 324 defines a first arbor cavity 330 and a firstfastening cavity 332.

First arbor cavity 330 includes a first arbor cavity diameter z and afirst arbor cavity length y and first fastening cavity 332 may bedisposed in the side of first lower portion wall 324 to communicatefirst lower portion outer surface 328 with first lower portion innersurface 326. Additionally, first fastening cavity 332 may include athreaded portion 333 for threadingly interacting with a threadedmounting screw 334. Although first arbor cavity 330 is shown asextending the length of first lower portion 310, it is contemplated thatfirst arbor cavity 330 may extend only a portion of the length of firstlower portion 310. It is further contemplated that first upper portion308, substantially rectangular shaped first component cradle 318 andfirst predetermined cradle angle θ may be sized to accommodatecomponents of varying sizes.

It should be appreciated that first upper portion 308 and/orsubstantially rectangular shaped first component cradle 318 may be sizedto accommodate components of varying sizes. Moreover, although firstpredetermined cradle angle θ is shown as being at least 60° fromhorizontal, first predetermined cradle angle θ may be any angle suitableto the desired end purpose, such as 45° and 75°. Additionally, secondsupport device 304 may be any support device suitable to the desired endpurpose, such as second support device 204 and second support device104. Furthermore, adapter device 306 may be any adapter device suitableto the desired end purpose, such as adapter device 106.

Referring to FIGS. 17-23, a block diagram illustrating a method 400 forimplementing a component positioning device 100, 200 is shown anddiscussed. A component positioning device 100, 200, a component 135 anda component measuring device 137 is obtained, as shown in block 402.Component positioning device 100, 200 includes a first support device102, 202, a second support device 104, 204 and an adapter device 106,206. Additionally, component 135 includes a component head 178 and acomponent base 180 and component measuring device 137 includes a firstarbor 182 and a second arbor 184. First support device 102, 202 isconnected to first arbor 182 and adapter device 106, 206 is connected tosecond arbor 184, as shown in block 404. Connecting first support device102, 202 to first arbor 182 may be accomplished by positioning firstsupport device 102, 202 such that first arbor 182 is disposed withinfirst arbor cavity 130, 230. A threaded mounting screw 134, 234 isdisposed within first fastening cavity 132, 232 and rotated tothreadingly interact with threaded portion 133, 233 of first fasteningcavity 132, 232. Threaded mounting screw 134 is rotated until threadedmounting screw 134 fasteningly interacts with first arbor 182.

Similarly, connecting adapter device 106, 206 to second arbor 184 may beaccomplished by positioning adapter device 106, 206 such that secondarbor is disposed within adapter arbor cavity 176. An additionalthreaded mounting screw 134 is disposed within adapter fastening cavity174 and rotated to threadingly interact with threaded portion 133 ofadapter fastening cavity 174. Threaded mounting screw 134 is rotateduntil threaded mounting screw 134 fasteningly interacts with secondarbor 184. Second support device 104, 204 is associated with adapterdevice 106, 206, as shown in block 406. This may be accomplished bypositioning second support device 104, 204 within adapter device cavity172 so stabilizing member 160, 260 protrudes out of and away fromadapter device cavity 172. This configuration positions first supportdevice 102, 202 in proximity with second support device 104, 204 suchthat first support device 102, 202 is separated from second supportdevice 104, 204 by a component cavity 186.

Component 135 is positioned within component positioning device 100, 200so that component head 178 is disposed within first component cradle118, 218 of first support device 102, 202 and/or so that component base180 is disposed within second component cradle 146, 246 of secondsupport device 104, 204, as shown in block 408. At least one of firstarbor 182 and second arbor 184 is then moved toward the other of firstarbor 182 and second arbor 184 to reduce the size of the componentcavity 186 between first arbor 182 and second arbor 184.

It should be appreciated that component base 180 is disposed withinsecond component cradle 146, 246 of second support device 104, 204 suchthat only the first incomplete thread is buried and that all of the fullthreads are not disposed within component cradle 146, 246. This exposesthe full threads to the component measuring device 137 to allowcomponent measuring device 137 to measure predetermined characteristicsof a component.

Referring to FIGS. 17, 24-27 a block diagram illustrating a method 400for implementing a component positioning device 300 is shown anddiscussed. A component positioning device 300, a component 135 and acomponent measuring device 137 is obtained, as shown in block 502.Although component 135 is shown as a t-shaped component, component 135may be any shaped component suitable to the desired end purpose, such asan elbow shaped component. Component positioning device 300 includes afirst support device 302, a second support device 304, 204, 104 and anadapter device 306 206, 106. Additionally, component 135 is shown asbeing a “T-shaped” component having a component head 378 and a componentbase 380 and component measuring device 137 includes a first arbor 182and a second arbor 184. First support device 302 is connected to firstarbor 182 and adapter device 306, 206, 106 is connected to second arbor184, as shown in block 504. Connecting first support device 302 to firstarbor 182 may be accomplished by positioning first support device 302such that first arbor 182 is disposed within first arbor cavity 330. Athreaded mounting screw 134 is disposed within first fastening cavity332 and rotated to threadingly interact with threaded portion 133 offirst fastening cavity 332. Threaded mounting screw 134 is rotated untilthreaded mounting screw 134 fasteningly interacts with first arbor 182.

Similarly, connecting adapter device 306, 206, 106 to second arbor 184may be accomplished by positioning adapter device 306, 206, 106 suchthat second arbor is disposed within adapter arbor cavity 176. Anadditional threaded mounting screw 134 is disposed within adapterfastening cavity 174 and rotated to threadingly interact with threadedportion 133 of adapter fastening cavity 174. Threaded mounting screw 134is rotated until threaded mounting screw 134 fasteningly interacts withsecond arbor 184. Second support device 304, 204, 104 is associated withadapter device 306, 206, 106, as shown in block 506. This may beaccomplished by positioning second support device 304, 204, 104 withinadapter device cavity 172 so stabilizing member 160, 260 protrudes outof and away from adapter device cavity 172. This configuration positionsfirst support device 302 in proximity with second support device 304,204, 104 such that first support device 302 is separated from secondsupport device 304, 204, 104 by a component cavity 186.

Component 135 is positioned within component positioning device 300 sothat component head 178 is disposed within first component cradle 318and so that component base 180 is disposed within second componentcradle 246, 146 as shown in block 508. At least one of first arbor 182and second arbor 184 is moved toward the other of first arbor 182 andsecond arbor 184 to reduce the size of component cavity 186 betweenfirst arbor 182 and second arbor 184 such that component 135 is stablydisposed between first arbor 182 and second arbor 184.

It should be appreciated that component base 380 is disposed withinsecond component cradle 146, 246 of second support device 104, 204 suchthat only the first incomplete thread is buried and that all of the fullthreads are not disposed within component cradle 146, 246. This exposesthe full threads to the component measuring device 137 to allowcomponent measuring device 137 to measure predetermined characteristicsof component 135.

In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processing of at least aportion of the method in FIG. 17 may be implemented by a controllerdisposed internal, external or internally and externally to a componentpositioning device 100, 200, 300. In addition, processing of at least aportion of the method in FIG. 17 may be implemented through a controlleroperating in response to a computer program. In order to perform theprescribed functions and desired processing, as well as the computationstherefore (e.g. execution control algorithm(s), the control processesprescribed herein, and the like), the controller may includes, but notbe limited to, a processor(s), computer(s), memory, storage,register(s), timing, interrupt(s), communication interface(s), andinput/output signal interface(s), as well as combination comprising atleast one of the foregoing.

The invention may be embodied in the form of a computer or controllerimplemented processes. The invention may also be embodied in the form ofcomputer program code containing instructions embodied in tangiblemedia, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, and/or any othercomputer-readable medium, wherein when the computer program code isloaded into and executed by a computer or controller, the computer orcontroller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Theinvention can also be embodied in the form of computer program code, forexample, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executedby a computer or controller, or transmitted over some transmissionmedium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics,or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein when the computer program codeis loaded into and executed by a computer or a controller, the computeror controller becomes an apparatus for practicing the invention. Whenimplemented on a general-purpose microprocessor the computer programcode segments may configure the microprocessor to create specific logiccircuits.

An exemplary embodiment is described herein by way of illustration asmay be applied to the positioning of various types of threaded gages,screws, bolts and other components into an inspection system forinspection. While the invention has been described with reference to anexemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Inaddition, may modifications may be made to adapt a particular situationor material to the teachings of the invention without departing from theessential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the inventionnot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this invention

1. A method for implementing a component positioning device, comprising:obtaining a component, a component measuring device and a componentpositioning device, said component including a component head and acomponent base, said component measuring device including a first arborand a second arbor and said component positioning device including afirst support device, a second support device and an adapter device;connecting said first support device and said adapter device to saidcomponent measuring device, wherein said first support device isassociated with said first arbor and said adapter device is associatedwith said second arbor; associating said second support device with saidadapter device, wherein said second support device is adjacent to andseparated from said first support device by a component cavity; andpositioning said component within said component cavity such that saidcomponent head is associated with one of said first support device andsaid second support device and said component base is associated withthe other of said first support device and said second support device.2. The method of claim 1, wherein said connecting includes connectingsaid first support device to said first arbor using a threaded mountingscrew.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said connecting includesconnecting said adapter to said second arbor using a threaded mountedscrew.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said adapter device includes anadapter device cavity and wherein said associating includes disposingsaid second support device within said adapter device cavity.
 5. Themethod of claim 4, wherein said adapter device includes at least oneadapter notch cavity and said second support device includes at leastone protruding stabilizing member.
 6. The method of claim 5, whereinsaid associating includes disposing said second support device withinsaid adapter device cavity so that said at least one protrudingstabilizing member is disposed within said at least one adapter notchcavity.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first support deviceincludes a first component cradle and wherein said positioning includesassociating said component head with said first component cradle.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said second support device includes a secondcomponent cradle and wherein said positioning includes associating saidcomponent base with said second component cradle.
 9. A medium encodedwith a machine-readable computer program code, the program codeincluding instructions for causing a controller to implement a methodfor implementing a component positioning device in a component measuringdevice, wherein said component measuring device includes a first arborand a second arbor and said component positioning device includes afirst support device, a second support device and an adapter device, themethod comprising: obtaining a component having a component head and acomponent base; connecting said first support device and said adapterdevice to said component measuring device, wherein said first supportdevice is connected to said first arbor and said adapter device isconnected to said second arbor; associating said second support devicewith said adapter device, wherein said second support device is adjacentto and separated from said first support device by an arbor cavity; andpositioning said component within said arbor cavity such that saidcomponent head is associated with one of said first support device andsaid second support device and said component base is associated withthe other of said first support device and said second support device.10. A machine-readable computer program code, the program code includinginstructions for causing a controller to implement a method forimplementing a component positioning device in a component measuringdevice, wherein said component measuring device includes a first arborand a second arbor and said component positioning device includes afirst support device, a second support device and an adapter device, themethod comprising: obtaining a component having a component head and acomponent base; connecting said first support device and said adapterdevice to said component measuring device, wherein said first supportdevice is connected to said first arbor and said adapter device isconnected to said second arbor; associating said second support devicewith said adapter device, wherein said second support device is adjacentto and separated from said first support device by an arbor cavity; andpositioning said component within said arbor cavity such that saidcomponent head is associated with one of said first support device andsaid second support device and said component base is associated withthe other of said first support device and said second support device.